<p>Despite the two-day rally, three major indexes posted an average two-percent fall and the financial sector remained weak.<br /><br />The Dow Jones industrial average gained 125.71 points, or 1.13 percent, to 11,269.02. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up 6.17 points, or 0.53 percent, to 1,178.81. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 15.30 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,507.98.<br /><br />The US Commerce Department said retail sales strengthened in July by 0.5 percent, led by a spurt in auto sales, which continued to rebound, rising 0.4 percent, following a 0.7 percent jump in June. This added signs of an improving economy.<br /><br />In Europe, regulators of major European exchanges banned the short selling of financial shares, trying to protect financial companies from speculators and to help restore market confidence. As a result, European bank stocks rallied and pared some this week's losses Friday.<br /><br />Analysts said that the markets were still fragile and sensitive as uncertainties about US and European economies remained. They predicted equities will still see great volatility next week. <br /></p>
<p>Despite the two-day rally, three major indexes posted an average two-percent fall and the financial sector remained weak.<br /><br />The Dow Jones industrial average gained 125.71 points, or 1.13 percent, to 11,269.02. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up 6.17 points, or 0.53 percent, to 1,178.81. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 15.30 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,507.98.<br /><br />The US Commerce Department said retail sales strengthened in July by 0.5 percent, led by a spurt in auto sales, which continued to rebound, rising 0.4 percent, following a 0.7 percent jump in June. This added signs of an improving economy.<br /><br />In Europe, regulators of major European exchanges banned the short selling of financial shares, trying to protect financial companies from speculators and to help restore market confidence. As a result, European bank stocks rallied and pared some this week's losses Friday.<br /><br />Analysts said that the markets were still fragile and sensitive as uncertainties about US and European economies remained. They predicted equities will still see great volatility next week. <br /></p>